Bordeaux meets biryani, and it works
River North · Chicago · French, Indian
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · May 4, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Indienne’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Indienne stops you mid-scan — this is not what you expect when you sit down for French-Indian fusion on Huron Street. It's focused, Franco-Californian, and clearly assembled by people who thought hard about what holds up against cardamom and beurre blanc in the same bite. A Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2024 is a signal, and the list delivers.
The list clocks in somewhere between 150 and 250 bottles, and the emphasis lands squarely on France and California — a smart pairing given the kitchen's dual identity. Burgundy Premier Cru selections and Rhône Valley Syrah anchor the French side, while Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon hold it down for California. Alsatian Riesling is a quietly brilliant inclusion here — aromatic whites are exactly what you want when spice is in play. Champagne rounds things out for anyone looking to open with bubbles, which, honestly, is always the right call.
Ten to sixteen by-the-glass options is a respectable spread for a room this intimate, and the team at Indienne — led by sommeliers Isabella Tenorio, Luc Robinson, and Francisco Joseph — seems to have curated pours that track the bottle list rather than defaulting to safe house wines. We'd push staff on what's rotating and what's been sitting; with a trio of somms on staff, someone should always have an answer.
Alsatian Riesling — $45
At the low end of the bottle range, Alsatian Riesling is the move here. Dry, aromatic, and built for spiced dishes — it cuts through the butter chicken and stands up to anything coming out of the tandoor. Few wines work this hard for this little money in a room like this.
Rhône Valley Syrah
Everyone at this table is gravitating toward the Burgundy or the Napa Cab, and we get it. But the Rhône Syrah is the sleeper. Its peppery, savory edge is practically engineered for lamb rogan josh, and it tends to sit at a price point that doesn't get the attention it deserves on a list like this.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Big Napa Cab at a French-Indian restaurant is a bit of a square peg. The markup on California Cabernet at this tier trends high, and the wine's weight and tannin aren't doing the spiced, aromatic dishes any favors. Save it for a steakhouse.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir + Tandoori-style duck
Sonoma Coast Pinot has the acidity and red-fruit structure to mirror the char and gaminess of tandoori duck without steamrolling the spice rub. It's a French technique meets California grape meets Indian spice trifecta that makes the whole concept of this restaurant click.
The Bottom Line
Indienne is the Wild Card in the truest sense — a fusion kitchen with a genuinely considered wine program that earns its Wine Spectator nod. Yes, send a friend here for wine, but make sure they skip the Napa Cab and lead with Riesling.
Lincoln Park · Chicago · American Casual
Summer House is not a wine destination, but it's a reliable place to drink well enough without getting gouged on the low end — just steer clear of the big-name bottles where the markup climbs. Send your friend here if they want something easy and good; don't send them here if they're chasing something serious.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · Italian
il Carciofo is doing something genuinely rare: building a wine list that treats Italian regional variety as the main event, not the footnote. If you're tired of the same Pinot Grigio and Chianti Classico circuit, this is exactly where you should be eating dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Chicago · Chicago · Steakhouse
STK Chicago is here to sell you a night out, and the wine list is just part of the set dressing. If you care about what's in your glass, eat here for the steak and order water.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chicago · French Brasserie
La Grande Boucherie Chicago is a reliable wine destination for anyone who wants a French-focused list executed with genuine effort and the occasional smart value. The markups aren't shy, but the BTG program and specials take some of the sting out — go in with a plan and you'll drink well.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
· Chicago · Steakhouse
This is not the wine list you expect to find at The Palm, and that's exactly why it earns attention. Six bottles, zero filler, genuinely fair pricing — if someone's tending this list, they deserve a raise.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Loop · Chicago · Californian
The Oakville Grill earns its Wine Spectator credential and the sommelier duo makes this list accessible, not intimidating. Wednesday half-price wine night alone is reason enough to get a reservation — just let go of the idea that anything other than California is on the agenda.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
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